A galaxy far, far away just found its Welsh voice. At the National Eisteddfod in Llantwd, Pembrokeshire, Lucasfilm, Disney, S4C and the Welsh Government revealed that George Lucas' original Star Wars saga is finally getting a Welsh-language version, timed to the franchise's 50th anniversary. The dub of A New Hope carries its own Welsh title, Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, and marks the very first time the 1977 film has been translated into the language.
A Cast Full Of Welsh Talent
The voice cast draws heavily on Wales' own acting talent. Widow's Bay actor Matthew Rhys steps into the boots of Han Solo, while Rhys Ifans takes on the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Slow Horses star Aimee-Ffion Edwards lends her voice to Princess Leia, and The Last Jedi actor Mark Lewis Jones becomes the Welsh voice of Darth Vader. Newcomer Osian Morgan has been chosen to voice Luke Skywalker. The wider ensemble is just as packed, with Llyr Ifans voicing C-3PO, Nia Roberts taking on Aunt Beru, Richard Harrington playing Grand Moff Tarkin, The Rings of Power's Owain Arthur voicing Red Leader, and Rhodri Meilir rounding out the cast as Gold Leader.
Lucasfilm's Welsh Connection
The project was announced by Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan, who was born and raised in Wales.
"Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language," Brennan said.She explained that Star Wars had never before been translated into Welsh, and said working with Welsh talent to make that happen for the franchise's 50th anniversary meant a great deal to her personally. Brennan added that she hopes Welsh speakers will feel the same emotional impact watching Gobaith Newydd as they would seeing the film again for the very first time, only now in their own language.
When And Where To Watch
Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd is scheduled to premiere on S4C and its associated platforms from Christmas Day this year. Its arrival adds to what has already been a strong year for Welsh film and television, following releases such as Madfabulous and Effi O Blaenau, alongside the upcoming Aimee-Ffion Edwards led Western Lluest, all part of a stretch some are already calling a Welsh New Wave. As the announcement itself put it in Welsh, mae gennym ni teimlad da am hyn, meaning we've got a good feeling about this.
